London-based The Book Palace has revealed advance covers for two illustrators Specials for release next year – one focusing on the work of veteran 2000AD artist John M. Burns, the other to showcase some of the greatest pirate art ever published in comics, books, magazines, posters and more.
More like a book than a magazine, illustrators is the art quarterly devoted to the finest illustration art ever published, guiding you through the stories behind the artists and their art, with features written by some of the leading authorities on this important art form.
As well as building into an indispensable reference library, illustrators gives readers an insight into the creative process, from the initial idea to the image potentially seen by millions.
John M. Burns should need no introduction to downthetubes readers, whose first work was as an illustrator for Junior Express and School Friend. During the 1960s, he worked on TV Century 21 and its sister magazines, including the “Space Family Robinson” for Lady Penelope. His credits also include the “Countdown” strip for the comic of the same name in the 1970s, strips for the weekly TV comic Look-in, on strips such as “The Bionic Woman” and, of course, 2000AD, initially on “Judge Dredd”. He has since gone on to draw “Nikolai Dante”, and co-created “The Bendatti Vendetta” for Judge Dredd Megazine, working with writer Robbie Morrison.
He’s drawn daily comics strips for various newspapers, including “The Seekers” and, briefly, “Modesty Blaise” as well as early episodes of Pete Nash’s long-running football strip, “Striker” and has created striking adaptations of books such as Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, and Lorna Doone.
While details of the content of the The Art of John M Burns – illustrators Special Edition, expected to retail for about £25, have yet to be revealed, Book Palace are more forthcoming about their plans for their Pirates! – illustrators Special Edition.
This will also feature work by Howard Pyle, Norman Price and many more, plus the different illustrated versions of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Truly fabulous artwork abounds in every issue of illustrators, much of the art taken from scans of the original work, so it’s well worth signing up for the Book Palace newsletter on the company web site to get news on the latest issues.
• More on The Art of John M Burns – illustrators Special Edition on Book Palace – on sale in 2020
• John M. Burns Art for sale on The Illustration Art Gallery/ Book Palace
• More on Pirates! – illustrators Special Edition on Book Palace – on sale in 2020
• Check out John M. Burns books on AmazonUK (Affiliate link – help support downthetubes, thank you)
With thanks to Richard Sheaf
- About the Author
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, British Comics, Comic Art, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Magazines, Other Worlds